“Which some people think is actually a higher grade than it deserves,” said Adam Lindquist, Waterfront Partnership.

Especially in light of last spring’s huge algae bloom and fish kill, following heavy rains.

But then summer saw drier than normal conditions, which helped the harbor.

“So when we have less rain, we actually have less storm water pollution, which is why this grade is slightly better than it would otherwise be. Although nobody’s claiming a ‘C minus’ is a great grade for the harbor,” Lindquist said.

At this point, weather is calling the shots. It will cost untold millions of dollars to slowdown what’s running off.

Under state orders to improve storm-water runoff, Baltimore is finalizing the fees it will begin charging residents and businesses to pay for the work.